Also called Eel Festival Weekend Type Cultural, Historical 2017 date 29 April | Observed by Inhabitants of Ely 2016 date 30 April | |
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Celebrations parade, eel throwing competition | ||
Ely Eel Day is an annual celebration observed by people from Ely, Cambridgeshire to celebrate the city's namesake — the eel. The celebrations start with a parade which begins from Cross Green outside Ely Cathedral and proceeds through the city to the Jubilee Gardens, passing by the Market Square and along the River Great Ouse at Ely's Waterside.
The celebrations following the parade include an eel throwing competition. The competition does not use real eels. Originally competitors were given socks rolled into some tights with rice in the end to weight it down but now the competition uses specially made toy eels. The winner of the 2015 Eel Throwing Championship was Jason Keogh of Attleborough, Norfolk, who threw his padded replica eel 16.1 metres. Winner of the Under-16 category was 9-year-old Harry Thomas, with a throw of 12.8 metres.
Other events on Eel Day include an annual competition for Town Criers. The winner of the 2012 competition was Robert Needham from Colchester, who has won four times in six years.
It is traditional for any couples marrying that weekend to be named 'the King of Eels' and 'the Queen of Eels'. Legend goes that eels bring good luck for married life. Accordingly, the City of Ely will send couples married that weekend a hamper of eels each year on their anniversary. As part of the Eel Parade, the Queen of Eels must march ahead of the various floats and processions on a carriage, wearing a crown of (live) eels.
Eel Day is traditionally held on the Saturday, of the May Bank Holiday weekend.